Staff moves, church news and more, updated weekly.
Is music a religion — and should the church be worried if it is?
If the fans of Star Wars and Dr. Who can have religions based on those franchises, then why can’t music be a faith tradition? That’s what country singer Maren Morris explores in her top-10 hit “My Church,” in which she…
Baylor shakeup continues with Starr’s resignation as chancellor
Days after being demoted as president of Baylor University over the university’s mishandling of sexual assault among its students, former Whitewater special prosecutor Ken Starr told ESPN June 1 he is resigning as chancellor. Starr, elected president of the world’s…
State convention wins case against breakaway agency
A state appeals court has upheld a lower court’s decision voiding the Missouri Baptist Foundation’s 2001 decision to move to a self-perpetuating board of trustees. A three-judge panel of the Western District Court of Appeals in Kansas City, Mo., ruled…
Big questions lead to big answers for woman, son living in camper
Angel Hardy knew living in a camper parked in the backyard of her friend’s house was no way to live — for her or her son. The shower never worked; the toilet never worked. Eventually, the water in the kitchen stopped…
As racial healing seems elusive, New Baptist Covenant plans next summit
Former President Jimmy Carter, who has long put religion and racial reconciliation at the center of his life, is on a mission to heal a racial divide among Baptists and help the country soothe rifts that he believes are getting…
Mississippi pastors support law widely-described as anti-gay
More than 50 Southern Baptist ministers in Mississippi recently issued an open letter supporting a new law which purports to protect religious liberty but is widely-described as the country’s most aggressive anti-LGBT legislation. Baptist pastors including current and past presidents of the…
Getting back to gospel basics is the systemic cure for Baylor’s woes, pastors say
The sexual assault scandal that exploded at Baylor University last week has generated waves of heartbreak, disbelief and outrage. And now add theological reflection to the litany of responses. “For me this underscores the depth of human sin and that…
Social media buzzing with Baylor fallout
From the New York Times to ESPN, Baylor University is major news since an investigation found it failed to properly handle sexual assault allegations against football players. The planned firing of head football coach Art Briles and the demotion of…
Family comes through flood with damaged home, stronger faith
The Blanco River was only supposed to rise to 17 feet the night of May 23, 2015, but Theresa Graves felt uneasiness. She opted to stay awake while her family slept peacefully in their riverside house in Wimberley. Graves was…
Campbell Divinity to host summit on pastor health
Campbell University Divinity School will address the difficult topic of pastor health in a June 2 gathering at the university’s main campus in Buies Creek, N.C. The purpose of the inaugural Pastor’s Health Summit is to inspire ministers to take…
Transitions for the week of 05.27.16
Please submit transitions — including staff changes, ordinations, anniversaries or deaths — to Barbara Francis. This page will be updated weekly. STAFF CHANGES Ashley Boschen, concluding her tenure as director of children and youth ministries, at Northside Baptist Church, Mechanicsville, Va….